It is essential to record the regular Bodily functions of any individual Horse when it is still in a Healthy state, rested and relaxed. 450 kg - 550 kg Horse - Normal Pulse Rate: 30 - 40 x beats a minute. Normal Respiratory Rate: 12 - 20 breaths a minute - Normal Rectal Temperature: 37.8 - 38.1 degrees - Threatening Range: 39.5 - 40. (Put the Thermometer back to 0' degrees before inserting into the Anus for 30 seconds.)

Vital Signs

Gum Colour - Hold your Thumb on a spot for a few seconds to see how quickly the Capillaries refill, which is also a test to see if the Circulation is Normal. The Colour should be pink, not very pale or too red or mauve or whitish grey.

Gut Sounds: Listen at the Hollow just in front of the Hip Bone on the Off Side the site of the Ileo - Caecal Valve between the Small and Large Intestines. This should discharge around every 60 seconds). Normally it is a distinct noise from the other Gut sounds. If Over active or Under active this can be signs of trouble. If there is no noise from the Ileo - Caecal Valve discharging it can indicate Impaction Colic. (Become familiar with the normal Gut sound of each Horse.)

Lymphatic System: Look for any enlargement in the Lymph Glands around the base of the Jaw and going around the Jaw Bone to under the Ear.

Respiration Rate: Watch the Flank or the Nostrils and count how many Breaths a minute. Repeat a few times to compare with those of the Horse in a healthy state. Normal Rate: is 10 - 14 breaths a minute / rhythm is important.) Inspiration and Expiration are followed by a pause in a normal resting Horse.

Resting Heart Rate: Hold a Stethoscope against the Chest near the Heart just behind the Left Elbow and count for 60 Seconds at rest. (40 beats are normal but some are lower.)

Body Indicators of Conditions

Gum Capillary Refill Time: Thumb pressure - 2 seconds / Internal Colour: Check the Mucous Membranes, the Nostrils, the Inner Eye Tissue Conjunctiva, while the Inner Lips of the Vulva should be pink / Skin Pliability: Pinch the Skin and release and it should return immediately, if not this indicates Dehydration / Faeces and Urine: The colour, consistency and volume produced should be as usual - If straining then this indicates Problems.)

Physical Clinical Signs of Conditions: Anxiety, Bleeding, Depression, Distress, Discomfort, Lack of Gut Sounds, Lameness, Head - Bobbing, Reluctant to Move, Odd Stance, Pain, Unwilling to Rise / Lethargy, Off Feed, Paralysis, Swelling and Tying Up / Muscle Cramps.

Drugs: Manufactured drugs can not only produce "side effects" but also waste accumulation by creating a depletion of Minerals and Vitamins within the Body Systems. They antagonize the Vitamins, impair the absorption, decrease the transport and utilization of Nutrients and have a negative effect on the storage of many of them.

Penicillin - Some severe reaction can occur on occasions and if so should not be given again. Symptoms: Elevated Heart rate and Perspiration rate, Sweating and the Veins stand out. N.B: Always give Rescue Remedy before any injections are given.

Corticosteroid Hormones: Are used to treat Itchy Skin Allergies, Inflammation of the Joints, Tendon Sheaths and Chronic Lung Conditions. These suppress the Immune System, weaken the Muscles, with a loss of Muscle mass, create mood swings, weakened Bones and degenerate the Joints and Tendons.

Non - Steroidal anti - Inflammatory Drugs: Relieve pain, acute Lameness and Trauma, but can mask the actual underlying Condition such as an Infection or Fractures, which require a different treatment. They can also cause Irritation of the Lining of the Stomach and Intestine and some Intestinal malfunction. N.B: If Non - Steroidal anti - Inflammatory Drugs are used give 2 x Tablespoons of Plain Yoghurt containing Acidolphus, Bifidud and Casei twice a day to reduce the negative effects.

Natural Liquorice stimulates the Body's own production of natural Cortizone. A similar herb to suite should be utilized when a Condition, which has previously responded to Cortico - Steroid medication returns after the treatment has been concluded. There are many natural Organic Herbs and these should be selected to suite the actual cause of the Condition, if known, as it is far better to treat the cause.

Phenylbutazone / Bute: Blood and Bone Marrow abnormalities may also be associated with this therapy. Another "side effect" is Internal Bleeding in the Lungs and associated structures including the Small and Large Blood Vessels.

Devil's Claw is one of the herbs that are suitable for a more natural Anti - Inflammatory treatment.

Antibiotics: Pathogenic organisms are becoming resistant to Drugs, and their other "side effects" include Kidney and Liver Toxicity, Skin Rashes and the suppression of normal Bone Marrow functioning.

Poisoning of the Body Systems: Eating processed foods that contain Hormones or Antibiotics included in the diet for either Humans or Livestock. Symptoms: These can appear immediately or several months later as dark brown Urine, occasional Muscular tremors, Posterior weakness and profound sweating. These Conditions can create permanent damage to the Heart Muscle, but despite this the Toxicity can be arrested in the early stages by removing the Stomach contents but there will be Liver damage. Treatment: Give Rescue Remedy immediately and then use the necessary herbs to Detox and restore natural Liver function.

+On to Horses - 2

Situated on the western bank of the Hunter River, midway between Muswellbrook and Denman the doorway to the Heart of Australia's "Horse Capital" in the Hunter Valley in New South Wales., Australia.

John & Sue Markham

RAINBOW FARMS 603 Roxburgh Road., Muswellbrook., 2333.

02 65 479 100 - Fax: 02 65 479 102 E - Mail: www.rainbowfarms@bigpond.com